"Han Feng specially went to a fast-print shop to have it developed." Liu Mengran placed the photo frame in the center of the TV cabinet, where there used to be only a photo of her and Su Wanwan. "He said...we'll always be family."
Dongfang Wantang's fingertips traced the glass of the photo frame, the cool touch making her heart burn. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out; she could only nod vigorously. Su Wanwan jumped over and hugged her neck: "Why are you crying! Tomorrow we'll have him Photoshop the photo into a wedding picture and hang it in the bedroom!"
"Wanwan!" Liu Mengran blushed and covered her mouth, and the three of them burst into laughter.
In the kitchen, Han Feng listened to the laughter from the living room, and a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips. The tomato and beef stew in the pot bubbled and simmered. He tasted the broth and sprinkled in some chopped basil. The refrigerator door was now covered with sticky notes—Liu Mengran's neat recipe notes, Su Wanwan's scribbled shopping list, and now, a peace charm drawn in cinnabar by Dongfang Wantang.
(The taste of home...)
The thought made him pause. Once upon a time, he had only considered this place a place to live, but now it was filled with traces of life, and his parents were here beside him. The salmon fillets sliced on the cutting board were Liu Mengran's favorite, the shrimp dumplings in the steamer were Su Wanwan's order, and the chicken wings being marinated were based on an ancient recipe brought by Dongfang Wantang.
"Need any help?" The glass door was pushed open a crack, and Dongfang Wantang poked half her body in. She had changed into her pajamas, her hair loosely tied up, revealing her slender neck.
Han Feng shook the frying pan: "It'll be ready soon, just go and wait to eat."
But she still slipped in and silently picked up a clove of garlic to peel. The two stood side by side in front of the stove, a subtle silence filling the air. The last rays of the setting sun shone through the blinds, cutting warm golden stripes on the countertop.
"The picture frame..." Dongfang Wantang suddenly spoke softly, "Thank you."
Han Feng turned off the stove and looked at her. The girl's eyelashes were lowered, and the tips of her ears were faintly red in the light, like newly ripe cherries.
"Of course." His voice softened unconsciously. "You're my wife now, what's this?"
Dongfang Wantang's fingers, which were peeling garlic, paused slightly, and a faint blush quickly spread from the tips of her ears to her cheeks. Without looking up, her voice was as soft as a feather's whisper: "Who...who is your wife..."
"You've already forgotten about last night? Are you trying to renege on your debt?" Han Feng turned off the stove, turned around, and leaned against the countertop on either side of her, trapping her in a small space. The sweet and sour aroma of tomatoes mixed with her faint sandalwood scent, creating a wonderfully enchanting atmosphere.
Dongfang Wantang instinctively stepped back, but her waist pressed against the cool edge of the counter. Han Feng pressed closer, his nose almost brushing against her burning earlobe: "If you really want to thank me..." He deliberately drew out his words, his warm breath on her sensitive earlobe, "How about you serve me tonight?"
"You!" Dongfang Wantang looked up abruptly, only to meet Han Feng's smiling eyes. Within them flickered the warm light of the stove fire, and something deeper, something that made her heart flutter.
The unspoken protest was interrupted by a sudden touch—Han Feng lowered his head and gently bit her earlobe. It didn't hurt; it was more like a feather brushing against her heart, yet it sent a jolt of electricity through Dongfang Wantang's body, making her legs weak and almost unable to stand.
"Hmm..." she groaned softly, then fell forward, only to be caught in Han Feng's arms.
Through the thin fabric of their clothes, they could feel each other's racing heartbeats. Dongfang Wantang buried her burning face in his chest, her fingers unconsciously clutching the straps of his apron: "You rascal... there are still people in the living room..."
Han Feng chuckled softly, his chest heaving throughout her body: "So you mean... it's okay when no one's around?"
"That's not what I meant!" Dongfang Wantang punched his shoulder in embarrassment and annoyance, but the force was so soft it sounded like she was being coquettish. She smelled the faint smell of cooking oil on Han Feng's collar, mixed with the comforting scent of sandalwood, and suddenly thought that staying like this wasn't so bad.
As the last rays of sunset faded outside the window, the kitchen's automatic sensor lights cast a warm yellow glow. Steam rose from the steamer, and the broth in the stew pot simmered, all reminding everyone that dinnertime was approaching.
"Alright." Han Feng finally let go of her, his fingertips brushing against her burning cheeks. "If you keep holding her like that, the vegetables will burn." His tone was full of triumphant pleasure.
Dongfang Wantang hurriedly took two steps back, nearly knocking over the spice rack. She bent down to straighten her not-too-disheveled clothes, her voice barely a whisper: "I...I'll go set the table..."
As she turned around, she nearly bumped into the glass door—it had already been pulled open more than halfway. Su Wanwan and Liu Mengran peeked out from the door frame, their eyes shining brightly.
"Continue?" Su Wanwan grinned mischievously. "Just pretend we don't exist!"
Dongfang Wantang exclaimed "Ah!" and rushed out of the kitchen, covering her face, not even bothering to pick up her slippers that had fallen off.
Behind her came Su Wanwan's loud shouts: "Wantang, why is your face as red as a tomato! Did you sneak a bite?!"
Liu Mengran took the spatula from Han Feng and tasted the food in the pot: "It tastes good." She looked up at him with a gentle smile in her eyes, "But remember to wipe your mouth next time you sneak a bite." After saying that, she kissed Han Feng on the corner of his mouth.
Han Feng subconsciously wiped his mouth, only to realize he'd been tricked. Liu Mengran had already gracefully turned around, her hair brushing against his arm: "I've taken Wan Tang's slippers; we're waiting for dinner."
Han Feng touched the spot where he'd been kissed, shaking his head and chuckling. The fish in the pot was indeed a little burnt at the edges, but the aroma was even more intense. Just like this girl who was initially out of place, she was slowly integrating into their lives in her clumsy way.
As the last dish was served, a boring variety show was playing on TV. Su Wanwan snatched the biggest chicken wing, Liu Mengran carefully served soup to everyone, and Dongfang Wantang secretly put the green peppers she had picked out into Han Feng's bowl—only to be caught red-handed.
"A picky eater?" Han Feng raised an eyebrow.
Dongfang Wantang said confidently, "The divination says that green is inauspicious for me today."
"So, you put the cilantro in my bowl because of divination?"
"That's...that's to boost your luck in finding a romantic partner!"
Liu Mengran chuckled, and Su Wanwan took the opportunity to steal the shrimp dumplings from Dongfang Wantang's bowl. The four of them finished their belated dinner amidst much noise, and the moon outside the window was already high in the sky.
While clearing the dishes, Han Feng noticed a new sticky note on the refrigerator door. Dongfang Wantang's delicate handwriting read: "Auspicious times tomorrow: 9 AM to 11 AM (巳时) is suitable for returning home, 11 AM to 1 PM (午时) is suitable for..." followed by a small heart.
He smiled and smoothed out the note. Looking up, he saw three girls huddled around the sink, their hands covered in dish soap. Liu Mengran was teaching Dongfang Wantang how to use the dishwasher, while Su Wanwan deliberately smeared dish soap bubbles on their faces.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com